Cannon



S. R. AYDUKOVICH.

CANNON.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, I918.

Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

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s. R1AYDUKOVICH.

CANNON.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1918.

1,320,110. Patented Oct. 28,1919.

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IV] T NE SS S. R. AYDUKOVICH.

CANNON.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, I9I8. 1,320, 1 10. Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

' s SHEETSSHEET 3. .5 \"""5* 4 'I II a 4 1 A 'TTORNE Y W UNIT 1 STEPHEN R. AY IDUKOVIGI-I, OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.

CANNON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

Application filed May 28, 1918. Serial No. 237,029.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, STEPHEN R. AYDUKO- VICH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Wyandotte and State of Kansas, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Cannon, of which the following is a specification.

.My invention relates to improvements cannon.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a novel cannon capable of throwing a heavy projectile a great distance.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cannon having a barrel composed of a plurality of longitudinal sections which may be detached from each other so as to be readily handled and transported.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of independently operated trucks for respectively supporting and transporting the different sections of the barrel.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel means for supporting in different firing positions the trucks which carry the barrel sections.

A further novel feature of iny invention is the provision ofnovel accelerating means by which the projectile has imparted to it additional impetus as it travels through the bore of the gun,

Still another object of my invention is the provision of novel means for exploding accelerating charges into the bore at the rear of the projectile.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel means for securely at taching the barrel sections to each other in proper firing position,

My invention contemplates the provision of a breech barrel section and as many barrel'sections forward thereof as the weight and length of the barrel may require. Preferably, each of the sections forward of the breech sections may have accelerating chambers communicating with the main bore of the barrel, and, if desired, the breech section may also be provided with one or more accelerating chambers.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention, v

Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal vertical section of a cannon provided with my improvement and comprisng two barrel sections coupled together in the firing position.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, slightly enlarged, on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of what is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View on the line 47-4; of Fig. l.

Fig, 5 is a cross section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. p

Fig, 6 is a cross section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a cross section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1.

- Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the different views.

In the accompanying drawing, 1 designatesthe breech section of my improved gun barrel, said section being, preferably, provided with a flat under side mounted on rollers 52, which extend transversely across and are rotatably mounted at their ends in a supporting frame 3, which is mounted upon a truck frame 4 of an ordinary automobile truck, which is made sufficiently heavy for the purpose and which is provided with two rear traction wheels 5, which are driven by the usual transmission mechanism which is connected with a suitable engine of the ordinary type carried on the frame 4 within the casing 6.

7 designates the usual steering wheel which may be connected in the usual mannor to an ordinary front axle S on which the front wheels 9are revoluble and which is adapted to be swung to the right or left in the usual manner.

Each of the wheels 5 and 9 is provided at its outer side with an annular peripheral groove 10 adapted to receive the rails of a railroad track when the truck is run on such a track. The tread of the wheels 5 and 9 is, preferably, very broad so as to permit the truck while carrying its heavy load to travel over ordinary, dirt roads.

The frame 3 is provided with ring-like guides 11 in which the barrel section 1 is longitudinally movable,

1 To take up the recoil of the section 1, it is provided at opposite sides with lugs 12 against which respectively bear the forward ends of-two strong coil springs 13, the rear ends of which respectively bear against the rear guide 11, and which respectively encircle two rods 14: which are respectively secured at their front ends to the lugs '12 and which are longitudinally slid-able in transverse holes in the rear guide 11, as shown in Fig. 3.

15 designates the forward barrel section which is adapted to have its rear end abut against the forward end of the barrel sectiOn 1, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The adjacent ends of the sections 1 and 15 are provided each with a recess which is adapted to receive a projection 16 on the other section. The end of each projection 16 is, preferably, oblique to the bore 17 of the barrel, the inclination of such oblique end being forward and outward as shown in Fig. 2, whereby each projection will be supported by the opposite section against the pressure of the gas in the bore.

As shown in Fig. 2, the side 18 of each projection 16 is preferably oblique to the bore 17, to enable the sections to be easily coupled together.

The barrel sections 1 and 15 are externally screw threaded at the oint and have mounted thereon two internally screwthreaded rings or nuts 19 which. serve as lock nuts for each other and which hold the sections 1 and 15 against lengthwise or lateral movement with respect to each other.

The section 15 is longitudinally slidable in guides 20 and 21 which are annular and are mounted on a frame 22, similar to the frame 3 and which is mounted on a truck frame 23, corresponding to the truck frame and provided with rear traction wheels 5 corresponding to the traction wheels 5 of the other truck. The frame 23 is mounted on a front aXle 8 having revolubly mounted thereon two front wheels 9 corresponding to the front wheels 9 of the other truck.

As shown'in Fig. 7 the bottom of the bar rel section 15 has a flat portion, which rests upon transverse rollers 24 rotatably mounted at their ends in the frame 22. The truck which carries the front barrel section 15 is provided with the usual steering wheel .7 and the ordinary engine and transmission gearing for driving the traction wheels 5.

As shown in Fig. 3, the barrel section 15 is provided on opposite sides with lugs 25, against which respectively bear the forward ends of two coil springs 26, which bear against the guide 21 and respectively encircle two longitudinal rods 27 which are respectively secured to the lugs 25 and which are slidable in holes provided in the guide 21.

The barrel section 15, as shownin Fig. 4, is provided with two straight accelerating chambers 28 which are disposed obliquely to and communicate at their forward ends with the main bore 17 of the barrel. Preferably the accelerating chambers are dis? posed diametrically opposite to each other and are adapted to contain auxiliary for being closed when the charge is fired.

Such closing means may be the usual type o'f breech block.

The two breech mechanisms shown in the drawings are alike in construction, so that a description of one will answer for both.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, 30' designates a revoluble breech block of the ordinary type having mutilated threads 31 adapted to engage with corresponding mutilated screw grooves in a lateral enlarge ment 32 providedon the adjacent side of the barrel section 15.

The breech block 30 is revolubly mounted in a ring 33 provided on its upper and lower sides with trunnions 34 which are pivoted respectively in the .upper and lower arms ofa yoke 35, which is pivoted by a vertical pin 36 with a link 37, which is pivoted by -means of a vertical pin 38, to the enlarged portion 32.

The breech block 30 is provided with a central hole in which is slidably mounted a firing pin 39, whichis also slidably mounted in an externally threaded ring 40, fitted in the central hole at therear end of the breech block 30. For normally forcing the firing pin 39 forwardly, it has encircling it a coil spring 41, the rear end of which bears against .the ring 40, and the forward end of which bears against a head 42 with which the firing pin is provided. The firing pin is provided at its forward end with a reduced central pointed projection 43, which is adapted tostrike the cap in the rear end of the adjacent shell 29, for the purpose of exploding the charge in the latter.

For releasably holding the firing pins 39 in the cooked position shown in Fig. 4, in which the springs 41 are compressed, I provide a flexible holding member comprising preferably a cable or wire 44, the ends of which are respectively secured to the rear ends of the firing pins 39.

From the firing pin 39, the wire 44 extends rearwardly to and around two pulleys 45, which are respectively mounted on rearwardly extending arms 46 provided one on each breech block 30. From the pulleys 45, the wire 44 extends forwardly over two pulleys 47, which are respectively mounted on the pins 36. From the pulleys 47 the wire 44 extends forwardly to and upon two pulleys 48, which are respectively mounted on two vertical .pins 49, which are in turn respectively mounted on two lugs 50, which are respectively provided on opposite sides of the barrel section 15. From the pulleys 48, the wire 44 extends transversely through the barrel section 15 in a transverse hole 51 which intersects the main bore '17.

The position of the hole 51 maybe varied to suit the length of the projectile employed and also to suit the time required for exploding the auxiliary charges, so as to ob tain the pressure therefrom against the rear end of the projectile after it has passed the chambers 28.

For respectively supporting the two trucks, which carry the barrel sections, in the firing position, there are provided two slightly inclined arcuate platforms 52 and 53 which respectively support the rear and forward trucks. The under side 'of the platform 52 is provided with two horizontal' arcuate timbers 54 and 55, which have plates 56secured to their under sides, the plates 56 being supported upon rollers 57 which are flanged at their inner sides and which are rotatably mounted on a series of radially arranged horizontal bars 58, which are rigidly supported in a concrete foundation 59.

The under side of the platform 53 is supported as is the platform or turn table 52 by means of the timbers 54 and having shoe plates 56 similar to the plates 56 already described, and which are mounted on flange rollers 57, rotatably mounted on another set of radially arranged bars 58 mounted in a concrete foundation 59, located at an elevation higher than and forward of the first named foundation 59.

In the operation of my invention, a track 60, Fig. 3, is laid to a point near to the foundations 59. A switch 61 is laid to a point adjacent to the rear end of the foundation 59 which is nearest the track. The truck which carries the breech section 1 is then run from the switch 61 upon the lower turntable 52. The other truck carrying the forward section 15 is then run off from the track and upon the turntable 53 in a position to aline with the truck on the turntable 52. The sections 1 and 15 are then brought into alinement With each other, with the projections 16 side by side and the sections abutting against each other. The nuts 19 are then screwed into place so as to bind the two barrel sections together.

Chock blocks 62 are then placed on the turntables 52 and 53 at the rear of the wheels 5 and 9 of each truck. The forward ends of the trucks are held to the platform by means of hooks 63 firmly attached to the turntables 52 and 53 and arranged to engage the front axles 8 of the trucks. The gun having been thus mounted, it may be turned to the right or left by moving simultaneously the turntable platforms 52 and 53 upon the rollers 57.

A charge and the projectile 64 are then placed in the breech of the section 1 and the breech closed in the usual manner. Charges are then placed in the chambers 28, after which the breech blocks 30 are closed and locked with the firing pins 39 held in the cocked position by means of two transverse pins 65, Fig. 4, which are removably mounted in transverse holes provided one in each pin 39. The cable or wire 44 is then passed through the hole 51 in the barrel section 15,-

and the ends thereof fastened respectively to the rear ends of the firing pins 39. The pins 65 are then withdrawn from the firing pins and the latter will now be held in the active or cocked position by the wire 44. If now the charge in the main bore 17 be eX- ploded, the projectile 64 will be discharged therethrough, and upon striking the wire 44, will sever the latter, upon which the springs 41 will force the firing pins forward so as to explode the charges in the, chambers 28, the force of which will be directed against the rear end of the projectile, which will have passed the chambers 28. By means of this construction, independent means is provided for exploding the charges in the chambers 28, which is distinct from the flare back of the main charge as the projectile passes the chambers 28. In case the latter does not ignite the charges in the auxiliary chambers 28, the firing pins operating upon the shells carrying the charges will cause the charges to be exploded.

The springs 13 and 2 6 will take up the recoil of the barrel in the usual manner.

When it is desired to move the gun to another place, the hooks 63 are detached from the axles 8 and the chock blocks 62 removed. The nuts 19 are then unscrewed so as to respectively pass upon the sections 1 and 15, thereby releasing the sections from each other. The rear truck may then be run from the turntable 52 over the switch 61 onto the track 60, and the front truck may be run from the turntable 53 onto the main track 60, the latter being provided with a suitable switch, not shown, for this purpose. The trucks may then be run on the track 60 to the new position, after which they may be mounted on the platforms or turntables 52 and 53, which have been removed from the first position and reset in the new position. The barrel sections may then be coupled together as already described, after which the gun may be operated as has been described.

While I have described and shown a preferred method of exploding the charges in the chambers 28, I do not limit my invention to the specific means shown. nor do I limit my invention to the specific means shown for coupling together the barrel sections. Many modifications of my invention, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. A cannon having a barrel comprising a plurality of longitudinal sections, means for securing the sections together, two

trucks respectively supporting the sections, and means supporting the trucks loy which the barrel may be swung laterally.

2. A cannon having a 'barrel comprising a plurality of longitudinal sections, means for securing the sections together, two. trucks respectively supporting the sections, and two turntables for respectively supporting the trucks.

8. A cannon having a-barrel comprising a plurality of longitudinal sections disposed end to end and detachable from each other, and-means for supporting said sections independently of each other when disengaged for transport and when engaged in normal 15 end to end, means for releasably securing the sections together, and two trucks provided with means for supporting said sections independently of each other, When disengaged for transport and when engaged in normal operation.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

STEPHEN R. AYDUKOVICH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

'Washington, D. G. 

